Monkey See, Monkey Do

Monkeys aren't the most popular animal motif in costume jewelry, but if you look hard enough, you'll find they are represented. Apes, on the other hand are not. Must be the fact that apes don't have tails. In jewelry, the monkey's tail balances the design much like it balances the animal in the wild when it's leaping from tree to tree.

 
Elzac ceramic pin with lucite tail

Unsigned pin with googly eyes

Arboreal monkeys live in the trees and they are excellent climbers. Below is a sought-after silver and enamel charm of a monkey climbing a pole followed by a brooch pin of another climber.

The Three Wise Monkeys have their origin in Asia but are known worldwide. See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil is a pithy saying we've all heard. Maybe people don't "get involved" because they believe the saying to be true.

The following three images are a sterling silver pin by Danecraft, a 14k gold charm and a vintage sash pin all showing the Three Wise Monkeys in jewelry design.

The organ grinder as street musician of the 19th century was often accompanied by a monkey. With a limited number of tunes to play, the antics of the monkey helped gather a crowd.

Monkeys as pets is disturbing to me. I say if you want something to cuddle and dress in cute clothes, buy a doll. Here's a pair of earrings Lunch at the Ritz with monkeys wearing hats.

Monkeys are appealing and they are fascinating to observe. "People go to the zoo and they like the lion because it's scary. And the bear because it's intense, but the monkey makes people laugh."  Lorne Michaels

I hope you enjoyed the photos. To see what's available for sale, visit World of Eccentricity & Charm or click here.

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Originally published 4/17/2016. Edited and republished on 5/29/2017